Improved steam-pressure regulator



NTTED TATES PATENT Ormea.

JOSEPH NASON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED STEAM-PRESSU PLE REGULATOR.

Specification forming part cf Letters Patent No. 40,354, dated October :20, 1863.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH NASON, of New York city, in the county and State'of New York, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in apparatus for controlling the pressure of fluids, designed more especially for application to steam-'boilers to increase or diminish the draft of the fire, but also applicable for regulating and limiting the pressure of steam in pipes and vessels supplied from steam-boilers by opening and closing a valve in the steam-passage. v

To enable others skilled in the art to successfully make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specication, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure l is a front View; and Fig. 2 is an edge view showing the parts claimed as novel, with so much of the other parts as appear necessary to exhibit their relation thereto. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of some of the parts differently constructed, but all in accordance with my invention. Figs. 4, 5, and

6 represent modifications of one portion of my invention. Fig. 7 represents the application of my invention to throttle-valves.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figs. l and 2 show a form of my invention adapted for very moderate pressures, such as are employed for heating purposes.

A is the masonry of the stack.

B is a damper fixed on a shaft, b, and provided with a lever, B', which is loaded with a weight, C. v

M is the steam-boiler, the furnace for which communicates with the stack in the ordinary manner, except as the draft is retarded by the damper B. A plate, D, fixed on the side of the stack A, supports a slender and nicelyfinished cylindrical rod, d, which serves as an axis for the revolving part E and its connections, which form the medium through which the varying pressure of the steam gives a proper motion t'o the damper. This 'revolving part E is a nearly complete coil or ring of pipe, closed at one end, e, and partially or entirely open at the other end, e. lt is partly lled with mercury F, and is connected by the arms v G to the hub or sleeve H, which latter is mounted on the spindle or axis d, so that the wholel is free to turn. A pipe, I, leads from near the closed end e of the coil E to the hub H, and thence awayto the steam-boiler M, so that the pressure within the latter is communicated to the interior of the coil E between the closed end e and the surface of the mercury F. The pipe I is flexible throughoutthe whole 0r a part of its length, so that it allows the hub H and its connections to turn.

J is a volute cam, or, rather, drum, xed on the hub H so as to turn with it, and K is a cord or strap leading up from the lever B and attached to the volute J at the point j. Itis adapted to be wound on and unwound or let off J, according as the circle E and its connections turn in one direction or the other. The winding up of this strap K closes the damper B, and the unwinding by the turning of H in the opposite direction allows it to open by the influence of the weight C.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The pressure against the closed end e of the coil E, acting on the mercury F as an abutment, exerts a force tending to turn the entire coil E with its attachments in the direction indicated by the black arrow. The pressure against the mercury F moves it within the coil in the opposite direction, but this is of no consequence unless it exceeds a proper limit,

. and it produces no effect except to cause the mercury to rise in one side of E. The condition of the mercury is very readily explained by observing that the surface pressed upon by the steam sinks lower than the other until a sufficient difference of level is produced to balance the pressure of the steam. The difference of level upon the two sides of the coil E is about two inches for each pound pressure per square inch applied to f. L is a stop fixed on the plate D, and adapted to hold the revolving part E in the proper position so as to keep the damper wide open whenever the pressure ofthe steam is too slight to affect the apparatus. When the steam-pressure becomes sufficient, the` coil E and its connections actually yields to the pressure Aagainst e and revolves, or commences to do so, the nercury F being supported *byA the pressure in a position corre-l spondingftothat pressure, whatever may be the position of the coil.v This motion of the coil F.` elevates the weight G and closes, or

partially closes, the damper B, so as to slacken the heat of the fire. VVit-h successive increments of pressure sufficient to overcome the increasing resistance presented by the increasing diameter of the spiral-shaped pulley J, it will continue its motion, gradually closing the damper and lessening the draft until the intensity of the fire is exactly equal to maintaining the steam-pressure required to balance the weight. 1f the pressure falls below this point, the weight C will turn the coil E backward, gradually opening the damper and increasing the intensity of the re until the pressure and the Weight are again in equilibrium, at which point the coil and damper will remain at rest until a further variation of pressure causes a change of position.

It will be understood by those in the trade that the damper B may be equally well operated in the ash-pit as in the chimney, andthe well-known and much-approved provision may be added of an influx for cold air above the iire controlled also by the same means. If the drum J were cylindrical and the strap K was arranged thereon as represented, the device would operate the same, except that the motion `of E H J, when once commenced, would be more liable to continue until the full extent of its motion was reached. The volute form of J prevents this evil by increasing or diminishing the effective diameter of J as the parts turn in either direction-that is to say, when the steam-pressure is only sufficient to induce the motion to commence, and then by winding the strap K upon the small part of the volute J to partially close the damper, it is not sufficient to continue the motion when the cord is wound upon the largest part of J, and l prefer to so proportion ,the parts that a considerable range is allowed between the pressure at which the motion will commence and that at which the damper will be fully closed, so that the apparatus will stand at rest at intermediate positions under all ordinary circumstances.

Vith the simple form of my apparatus, shown in Figs. l and 2, the difference in level between the two surfaces f and f of the mercury at the opposite points in the coil E will always correspond with the pressure of the steam, as in many well-known gages for measuring steam-pressure. Consequently, a coil, El, of very great diameter must be used if the instrument is applied in this form where very high pressure is employed. A pressure of sixty pounds per square inch above atmosphere would induceya difference of about one hundred and twenty inches in the level of the mercury atf and f', and to allow this would require the coil E to be ten or more feet in diameter. To avoid the expense and obvious inconveniences attending the use of such a mammoth appa1'atus,I have devised the modification shown in Fig. 3. I propose to coil the pipe E many times around, as represented, and to ll the lower half of each convolution with mercury, while the upper half of each, except the iirst and last ones, are iilled with alcohol or some other suitable liquid muchless dense than mercury. This alcohol or the like will allow the pressure due to the difference of level in each to be added to that in the next, so that a series of small coils may produce the effect of one large coil without the objectionable features of the latter. This form of my invention is for this reason much preferable for very high pressl ures to that shown in Figs. l and 2. A pressure of two hundred and fty pounds per square inch, for example, would support a column of mercury five hundred inches, or nearly forty-two feet high, and it would require a coil, E, of a diameter greater than that to allow the successful use of my invention in the form shown in Figs. l and 2. But if the form shown in Fig. 3 is adopt-ed, the convolutions may be multiplied to any extent desired. If ten complete circuits are made, only about fty inches difference of level in each circuit will obtain, the reduction for any number of circuits being in the ratio of the number with the exception of a slight allowance for the weight of the alcohol in the light side of each convolution, which is too small to seriously affect the calculations. The proper filling of such a coil may be readily performed through orices P at a proper point in each coil, care being taken to stop these by a screw, plug, or oher efficient means when all is properly adjusted. Upon the admission of steam ate the pressure will be resisted by the mercury in the iirst convolution7 which, through the medium of the fluid in the upper half of the coil, will also be resisted by the mercury in the second convolution. In like manner the mercury in the second convolution will be resisted by the mercury in the third, and so on to the end ofthe series. The resistance at f, therefore, will be equal to the aggregate weight of the mercury in all the convolutions, deducting the weight of the lighter uid by which it is partly counterbalanced.

I have before intimated that my apparatus in either of these forms is applicable for regulating the pressure in pipes and vessels communicating with steam-boilers.

It is sometimes desirable to maintain in vessels or steam-pipes employed in certain manufacturing operations, or for -the purpose of warming, a lower pressure than that existing in the boiler by which they are supplied, and to maintain in such pipes and vessels a constant and unvarying pressure without regard to iiuctuations of pressure in the boiler. An obvious mode of applying my invention so as to accomplish this end isshown in Fig. 7, .in which M is the boiler and N the pipe or part of a series of pipes in which the pressure is to be regulated and limited. In this case my regulator, constructed in either of the modes before described, is connected by the pipe I, not with the boiler M, but with the pipes N, and is employed to open and close the valve R as the pressure in N falls below or rises ure in the series of pipes N having been determined by the Weight O, the coil E will as sume the position in which the pressure in N and the Weight C will exactly balance each other. Any increase of pressure will then cause the coil E to turn forward in the direction otl the black arrow and close the valve R so far that the intluent steam will be diminished. It will close to such extent that, by reason of the constant consumption or condensation, the pressure in Nivill become again in exact equilibrium With the Weight C. ln like manner any decrease of pressure will cause the coil E to turn backward and open the valve It far enough to restore the equilibrium between the pressure in N and the weight U. The open end e of my coil E may,

if desired, be partially closed, and may be provided with a suitable alarm-indicator to give notice by the action of the mercury when the pressure from any cause rises so much above the highest point allowable as to cause a too great difference of level ofthe mercury.

My invention is susceptible of a great variety of constructions and is very permanent in its adjustment under each. I Will enumerate some of these varieties as follows:

My invention may, by giving only a very slight degree ot' expansion or change ot' diameter to the volute J, or by making it perfectly circular, be so adjusted as to traverse through its entire range of motion with a very slight change in the pressure of the steam so as to be very delicate or sensitive in its action, or it may, on the other hand, by making the volute J of a different form, be more inclined to stand in a middle position, or with the damper always partially, but rarely quite, closed.

Again, my invention may be used with the pipe E entirely unchoked, so as to allow the mercury. perfect freedom of movement, or it may be obstructed to any extent desired. In the firsteaseits movements will be prompt with each change in the pressure. In the latter case the parts will ultimately assume the same position as in the iirst, but in a more moderate manner. rIhe latter is obviously desirable when the pulley J is perfectly circular. These conditions may be readily adapted to the situation in which the apparatus is to be used, and it is easy to providefor varying both these conditions at will. The freedom of movement of the mercury may be modiiied by turning a stopcock at any suitable point in the coil E, or in the passages connected thereto, and the sensitiveness ofthe apparatus may be modified by varying the relations of the volute J and the strap K either by adding to or taking from the material of J, or moving some part so as lo change its form, or by changing the strap K from one volute J to another of a different form, which may be mounted by its side.

My volute J, or an equivalent bearing for the strap K, may in some cases be extended around the shaft more than once by giving it a spiral form, and, by filling only a few coils in the form shown in Fig. 3, so as to adapt my it shall be lifted more or less directly as thel motion progresses,as outlined in Fig. 4. It may also be dispensed with by so attaching the weight that more of it shall be lifted as the motion progresses as in Fig. 5, or by using a spring instead of or auxiliary to a Weigh t, or by making the strap K to taper .in thickness, as outlined in Fig. 6.

Any of these or other obvious means of requiri n g the pressure otsteamon e tov be greater in order to induce the full extent of the motion than to commence the motion maybe employed at pleasure, and my invention may even be made to operate with a tolerable degree of success or so as to realize a good part ofthe beniits accruing therefrom withoutany such auxiliary. In other Words, my parts, mounted as described, may be used with a plain cylindrical drum, J, in lieu of the volute J, and With a weight, C, directly connected by a plain or parallel strap, K, and the result will usually be good, especially if the coil E is sufficiently contracted or stopped at some point to prevent the position from changing rapidly from one extreme to the other.

lt will be observed that by making my coil E of large pipe my device will exert a very great force it' applied directly against the resistance. A small pipe similarly coiled, may, if preferred, be used, and its slight force may be used simply to indicate to other means, as by shifting a slight belt on fast and loose pulleys, the changes in the damper which are to be effected.

Some ot' the advantages due to certain features of my invention may be separately enumerated as follows: i

First. I3 y reason of the employment of my revolving coil E, containing the mercury' F, and connected and arranged as represented, with either a varying or uniform opposing force, I am able to avoid the rapid destruction of parts incident to the use of diaphragm-regulators, to obtain a great extent-of motion with a small quantity of mercury, and to act. with sufticient force through a sut'ticient range of motion to effect all the changes which are necessaryY with a small and convenient apparatus. I am also able by reason ot' this feature of my invention to obtain any desired increase of the force in an instrument of moderate dimensions, and to adapt such to any desired pressures by extending the same coil so as to form a number of coils, as rept esented.

Second. By reason of the employment in connection with the above of my volute J or the equivalent means represented of increasing the opposing force as the motion due to the steampressure progresses, I am able to bet'. er avoid the liability of the device to alte. nating between extreme positions, and in general to obtain a more satisfactory and uniform action of the apparatus.

I desire to say I do not claim as my invention the use of quieksilver or other fluid as a resisting medium for the purpose of producing motion in a wheel through the pressure of a Huid, such having been long known.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. The employment of the rotating coil E, dense Huid F, connection I, leading from the vessel in which the pressure is to be regulated, and connection K, leading to a damper or valve adapted to control such pressure, the several parts being arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In connection with the above-described rotating coil, the employment of the volute J,

or equivalent means of inducing a self-adjust# 

